Why Phil Jones won’t be leaving Manchester United for Arsenal

Manchester United’s Phil Jones has been linked with a move to Arsenal (Picture: Getty Images)

The have been persistent reports this summer that Arsene Wenger would try and sign Phil Jones or Chris Smalling as part of any deal that would take Thomas Vermaelen to Manchester United.

At the time, it seemed like a bit of stretch to think that Jones would leave the Old Trafford side to join Arsenal – he’s a favourite with the fans and even though Wenger has shown an interest in him before, there was no reason to think that Louis van Gaal would be open to letting the player leave, especially not after having already lost Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic.

Now, speaking to the media while on pre-season tour, Jones has said he was looking forward to the new season with United.

‘Of course, replacing those guys is ultimately what I want to be doing. Everyone is trying to impress and hopefully we can start the season off well.

‘You’ve got to thrive on the challenge.

‘We’ve lost two great defenders in Rio and Nemanja. But that’s football and we move on.

‘We’ve got good players to replace them and hopefully we can all step up and improve that.’

Arsene Wenger is unlikely to bring in another centre-back unless Vermaelen, the club captain, leaves. It is a move which could prove risky as there are only three centre-backs currently at the club with Bacary Sagna, the stand-in fourth choice, no longer there.

Given Arsenal’s history with injuries, it would be a fool who would bet on the pairing of Laurent Koscielny and Per Mertesacker making it through an entire campaign unscathed.

As the new season approaches, it’s not even clear who will start in the centre of defence for Arsenal against Crystal Palace.

Speaking at a press conference ahead of their pre-season game against the New York Red Bulls on Saturday, Wenger revealed that his three Germans, Mesut Ozil, Per Mertesacker and Lukas Podolski, would probably not be available for the opening game. They only return to the club on August 11th and the season kicks off five days later.

Mertesacker might make it with Wenger praising his fitness levels, but that means if he is not ready Arsenal will have to field either Thomas Vermaelen if he’s still at the club, a player from the reserves or a newbie who they haven’t signed yet.

While Arsenal have enjoyed a productive transfer window so far, it’s doubtful that Wenger is too enamoured with how things are playing out in his backline as the season approaches. One thing seems clear, however and that is if Phil Jones starts the season alongside Thomas Vermaelen, it will be at Manchester United, not Arsenal.